Facing the largest food-borne illness investigation in recent history, the S.C. health department says it is "too early to say" whether the agency will look at how it inspects restaurants or issues public health advisories.

But Department of Health and Environmental Control spokesman Thom Berry said the state has fewer than 90 workers inspecting more than 17,000 food-service establishments. The agency has asked the legislature to fund more inspectors.

The number of peopled sickened from a salmonella outbreak in Camden grew to 287 on Saturday, with 50 hospitalized. The death of James Arledge, 58, has been linked to the outbreak, which affected those who ate at the Old South Restaurant.